Hikers, all over 80, continue trek to Gulf

Published: Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, November 6, 2007 at 11:28 p.m.

OCALA - Thursday is the day that the four 80-year-old-plus men who are walking across Florida reach the Gulf of Mexico.
They were on schedule Monday, having walked 9.7 miles under clear skies from the 49th Avenue Trailhead to the Cattle Pen Area.
"We are riding high," said Kenneth Smith, 80, of Belleview. "We are going to come in to the Withlacoochee [River] with a swagger."
Smith, who is leading the contingent, called Monday to say that the public showed up to walk with the group Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, about 20 people hiked with them from Marshall Swamp Trailhead to Santos Trailhead Campground, a walk of 9.5 miles. On Sunday, about 15 people joined the group and walked 10.3 miles from Santos Trailhead Campground to the 49th Avenue Trailhead. Sunday evening, the intrepid seniors were served dinner at the 49th Avenue Trailhead by Smith's son and daughter.
Spirits are good in spite of some blisters.
"Blisters are fine," Smith said. "They are still with us."
He said Charlie Monson, 80, of Savannah, Ga. had the most blisters.
The four hikers left Flagler Beach on the Atlantic Ocean on Oct. 26. Their 132-mile trek will end about 2 p.m. Thursday, as they walk to the Gulf of Mexico, just past the Inglis Lock. Six hikers began the trip, but two had to drop out. The four remaining hikers are going strong.
"It's better than we expected," Smith said Monday about the trip so far. "We already have two speaking engagements lined up."Susan Latham Carr may be reached at susan.carr@starbanner.com or 352-867-4156.

OCALA - Thursday is the day that the four 80-year-old-plus men who are walking across Florida reach the Gulf of Mexico.<BR>
They were on schedule Monday, having walked 9.7 miles under clear skies from the 49th Avenue Trailhead to the Cattle Pen Area.<BR>
"We are riding high," said Kenneth Smith, 80, of Belleview. "We are going to come in to the Withlacoochee [River] with a swagger."<BR>
Smith, who is leading the contingent, called Monday to say that the public showed up to walk with the group Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, about 20 people hiked with them from Marshall Swamp Trailhead to Santos Trailhead Campground, a walk of 9.5 miles. On Sunday, about 15 people joined the group and walked 10.3 miles from Santos Trailhead Campground to the 49th Avenue Trailhead. Sunday evening, the intrepid seniors were served dinner at the 49th Avenue Trailhead by Smith's son and daughter.<BR>
Spirits are good in spite of some blisters.<BR>
"Blisters are fine," Smith said. "They are still with us."<BR>
He said Charlie Monson, 80, of Savannah, Ga. had the most blisters.<BR>
The four hikers left Flagler Beach on the Atlantic Ocean on Oct. 26. Their 132-mile trek will end about 2 p.m. Thursday, as they walk to the Gulf of Mexico, just past the Inglis Lock. Six hikers began the trip, but two had to drop out. The four remaining hikers are going strong.<BR>
"It's better than we expected," Smith said Monday about the trip so far. "We already have two speaking engagements lined up."<BR>
<i>Susan Latham Carr may be reached at susan.carr@starbanner.com or 352-867-4156.</i><BR>